A LILY OF THE SNOW 

SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF 
ST. EULALIA OF MERIDA 



BY 



F. A. FORBES 




New York 

The Encyclopedia Press, Inc. 

23 East 41st Street 






^v 



Copyright 

The Encyclopedia Press,, Inc. 

1916 



M -7 1917 

©CLA4G9286 



Place : The town of Merida in Spain and its environs. 
Time : a. d. 303. 

Scene I. — The Lily blossoms. 
A Room in Liberius' House at Merida. 

Scene II. — The Sun shines. 
A Wood near the country house of Liberius 

Scene III. — The Clouds gather 
The Garden of the country house. Evening. 

Scene IV. — The Storm breaks. 
Eulalia's Bedchamber 

Scene V. — The Lily is gathered. 
The Market-place at Merida. 

Tableau — The Snow falls. 
The same. 



CHARACTERS 

LiBERius, a noble citizen of Merida. 

EuLALiA, his little daughter. 

DoNATUS, a priest, tutor to Eulalia. 

Julia, child-companion to Eulalia. 

Calpurnius, Governor of Merida, a pagan. 

Pronto, a little goatherd. 

Six Pagan children. 

Christians of Merida. 

Soldiers of the Governor's Guard. 

Angels. 



A LILY OF THE SNOW 

The Lily Blossoms 

A Room in Liberius' House. Eulalia with a great Book 
on her knees, Donatus. 

Eulalia 

{Reading) 'Then unto His disciples Jesus said 

*If any man will follow Me, let him 

Deny himself, take up his cross, and come, 

For whosoever seeks to save his life 

Shall lose it.' {To Donatus) Since Our Lord said that 

to us, 
And said that when men lost their lives for Him, 
— For that comes after — they should save their lives. 
The best thing we can do is just to say, 
"I am a Christian," and so die for Christ. 

Donatus 
Not quite, my child, for, who would preach the Faith 
Were all the Christians martyred ? Christ said, too, 
"When they shall persecute you in one town, 
Take refuge in another." ''Simple be 
As doves, yet wise as serpents." So He taught 
His first disciples and through them the world. 

7 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene i 

EULALIA \ 

For you, Donatus, yes ; you are a priest, 
And have God's work to do; but not for me, 
I can do nothing, I, a Httle girl, 
But die for Christ, — and that I long to do. 

Donatus 
You can do much, even a child like you; 
You can be strong and pure, and true and brave 
Amongst the little things of every day. 
The gifts of life and death are in God's Hands: 
He gives yoti life, then use it well for Him. 
Should He send death, then glorify His Name; 
But leave the choice to God, for He alone 
Knows what is best, and can give grace for all. 

EULALIA 

Is it not right to wish for martyrdom ? 

Donatus 
Better to will what God wills, life or death. 

EULALIA 

Then what God wills I will ; but all the same 
I still can keep that longing in my heart. 
Where God will see it and may grant it yet. 

8 



Scene i A LILY OF THE SNOW 

DONATUS 

And pray, my child, for strength for those who bear 

The strong temptation and the fiery trial, 

Who do not wish to die, yet have to choose 

Between a bitter death for Christ, or life 

Purchased by base denial of their Lord ; 

For such as these are falling every day 

Into the tempter's snare. Pray much for them. 

EULALIA 

If I could give my blood to strengthen them ! 



DONATUS 

(Smiling) Why, there, again ! I thought we had agreed 
That what God gives is best. 

EULALIA 

I know it is. 
I was not thinking. I will try to be 
Unselfish, patient, gentle, as you say, 
That I may win God's blessing and His grace. 

(Enter Liberius.) 

9 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene i 

LiBERIUS 

{To Eulalia) Julia is calling everywhere for you, 
So run away and find her. {To Donatus) Well, what 
news ? 

Donatus 
{Rising) Bad news; so bad it hardly could be worse. 
At Saragossa they have lately seized 
The Bishop Valens and imprisoned him 
With Vincent his archdeacon ; Dacian raged 
At their most brave confession of the Faith, 
And swears that he will torture them till death. 

LiBERIUS 

What of this man Calpumius, whom he left 
Behind him here to do his evil work? 

Donatus 
He has done nothng yet but watch and wait. 
And scheme our ruin. Soon the blow will fall. 
God grant us grace to conquer in the fight. 

LiBERIUS 

In Him I put my trust ; my only dread 
Is for Eulalia — you know the child, 

10 



Scene i A LILY OF THE SNOW 

Her burning love of Christ, her valiant heart. 

I fear she may at any moment say 

What best were left unsaid in these dark days. 

DONATUS 

Could you not send her to your country house 
Until the stormi blows over? Safely there 
She would be hidden from Calpurnius' spies, 
And no one could report her childish words 
To her undoing. 

LiBERIUS 

What a happy thought! 
I certainly will do so. 

DONATUS 

Do not say 
You send her there for safety — better not — 
Nor tell her of the danger we are in. 
For she will wish to share it. 

LiBERIUS 

Yes, I know. 
I'll find another reason. She will go 
Tomorrow at the latest. 

11 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene i 

DONATUS \ 

There she is 
With JuHa at the door. 
( Calling ) EulaHa ! 

EULALIA 

Yes, Father dear. You called me, did you not? 

LiBERIUS 

My little daughter, it has seemed to me 
Your cheeks have lost their roses since you left 
The country life you loved and came to town. 
Would you not like to see the hills, the woods, 
And meadows once again? 

EULALIA 

(Delighted.) AndFronto! Yes! 

LiBERIUS 

Pray, who is Fronto? 

EULALIA 

Why, the little boy 
Who keeps the goats ; he did not know a word 
About our Lord ; he worshipped heathen gods 

12 



Scene i A LILY OF THE SNOW 

Until I told him he would lose his soul 
Unless he learnt to worship Jesus Christ ; 
And so I taught him. It was very hard, 
For Fronto is not clever ; but at last 
We got it in by working very hard, 
Until poor Fronto knew what he must know 
Before he is baptised — he is to be 
Baptised next Easter ; but I am afraid 
He may forget it all before the time 
Now that I cannot help him. 

LiBERIUS 

You shall go 
Tomorrow if you like, and catechise 
Your Fronto till his slow wits learn to skip 
As nimbly as his goats. 

EULALIA 

(Laughing) They never will! 
It does not matter, if he saves his soul. 
God does not mind if people are not brightj 
And Fronto loves Him. 

LiBERIUS 

Well, tomorrow, then. 

13 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene i 

EULALIA 

Are you not coming, Father? 

LiBERIUS 

Not just now. 
My duty keeps me here in Merida ; 
But I will come from time to time and stay 
A day or two with you ; and now and then 
Donatus will come down to visit us 
And bring us news of all that passes here. 

EULALIA 

Julia will come ? 

LiBERIUS 

Julia will go with you 
You would be dull without her, and she loves 
The country, too. 

EULALIA 

(Clapping her hands) Then I am very glad, 
And Julia will be glad — and Fronto too. 

Curtain. 



14 



Scene ii A LILY OF THE SNOW 



Scene II. The Sun Shines. 

A wood near the country house of Liberius At the back 
of the scene on a little eminence stands a rustic 
shrine with a small statue of Apollo. 

(Enter Eulalia) 

EULALIA 

Fronto is late, and Julia has not come. 
Ah! Here is Fronto! 

(The little goatherd comes in from the other side.) 

Are the goats all safe? 

Fronto 
I left them, little lady, on the hill. 
They will not stray. 

Eulalia 

Now, Fronto, let me see 
If you have not forgotten what you learnt? 
And first of all, the prayers. 

Fronto 

No, not a word! 

I say them every morning, every night, 

And when I sit upon the hill and watch 

15 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene ii 

The goats, I say aloud all I have learnt 
For fear I should forget. 

EULALIA 

The hymn to Christ, 
Do you remember that? 

Fronto 

Why, every day 
I sing it, and the merry lilting tune 
You sang it to, I play upon my pipes. 
The goats come crowding round to listen, too; 
They like it best of all the tunes I play ! 

EULALIA 

They are God's creatures, Fronto, so they like 
To hear His praises. I have happy news. 
Father is coming here to stay with us. 

Fronto 
Then I am glad, because your heart is glad. 
My little lady. Comes the holy priest 
Who promised me that I should be baptised? 

EULALIA 

Donatus? Not just now; some time, I hope. 

(Enter Julia.) 
Ah, here she comes! 

16 



Scene ii A LILY OF THE SNOW 

Julia 
(Looking round and pointing to the shrine) 

Eulalia, what is that? 
I never saw that Httle shrine before. 

Eulalia 
(Turning round) 
A heathen shrine! Why, how did it come there? 

Fronto 
'Twas Dacian bade the people set them up 
Throughout the country, for he said the gods 
Were all dishonored now the Christian faith 
Had drawn so many people from their cult. 

Eulalia 
(Throwing down the statue) 
A pretty god, who cannot hear nor help, 
A devil-god, if he exists at all ! 

Julia 

(Aghast) Eulalia! It was Dacian set it up! 
If he should hear . . . ! 

Eulalia 

If Dacian set it up 
It is Eulalia who has thrown it down. 

17 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene ii 

Come, let us bury it, lest pagan folks 

Should do it honor. {The three children bury the statue.) 
Now let us make a cross and set it up 
Within the shrine {She takes tzvo sticks and makes a cross) 

to show we worship Christ. 
{She fixes the cross in the shrine.) 
There, Dacian ! We shall see who will prevail. 

{Six pagan children enter carrying flowers.) 

First Child 
{Looking at the shrine) Where is the god? We come to 

^ honor him, 
To wreathe our garlands and to sing our hymn 
And dance before the shrine, and now the shrine 
Is empty. 

EULAIJA 

He was but a sorry god ; 
He could not hear nor help you. Now, my God 
Is Lord of Heaven and earth and you and me. 
He died for us on earth and lives in Heaven. 
Come, wreathe your garlands, sing your song for Him. 

{She points to the cross.) 

Second Child 
Is that your God, Eulalia ? Two crossed sticks ? 

18 



Scene ii A LILY OF THE SNOW 

EULALIA 

No, but it is the emblem of my God 

And of the bitter death He died to save 

The world He loved so much. He healed the sick, 

And blessed the little children, and He raised 

The dead to Hfe. He was so sweet and kind 

That none who looked on Him could help but love, 

And those who loved were saved for evermore. 

Third Child 
I wish we should have seen Him. Is it long 
Since He is dead? 

EULALIA 

He died, but rose again ; 
Men saw and touched Him ere He went to Heaven; 
And now, although He is in Heaven above. 
He still is here with us ; He loved us so. 
He could not leave us; so since He was God, 
And could do all the wondrous things He chose, 
He chose to be with us down here on earth 
As well as up in Heaven. 

Fourth Child 

Where is He? 
In Merida? 

19 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene ii 

EULALIA 

Ah, that I may not say ; 
But He is in the hearts of those who love 
And know Him. Dance in praise of Him, 
And He will look on you with loving eyes. 
And bless you, though you will not see His face. 

Fourth Child 
I like your God, Eulalia ! 

Fifth Child 
So do I! 
But it is hard to understand it all. 

Eulalia 
You need not understand. See! Fronto here 
Will play upon his pipes and we will sing 
Our hymn of praise. 

Sixth Child 
We do not know the words. 

Eulalia 
That does not matter ; there is a refrain 
Which is not difficult: ''Christ is my King," 
And you can dance and join in the refrain. 
Can you remember it? 

20 



Scene ii A LILY OF THE SNOW 

Children 

(All together) "Christ is my King," 

We can remember that, it is not hard. 

(Fronto sits down on the little eminence and plays 
his pipes; Eulalia and Julia stand behind 
him and sing. The little girls dance with their 
garlands of flowers, singing the refrain of the 
song, and bowing as they pass the Cross.) 

Hymn 

Dayhght has come again. 

Birds sweetly sing. 
I raise my heart to God, 

Christ is my King, 
Sunshine or rain or storm. 

What will it bring? 
Nothing can trouble me, 

Christ is my King. 

Fierce is the noonday sun, 

How everything 
Faints 'neath its burning rays! 

Christ is my King. 
21 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene ii 

Rising, the thirsty stag \ 

Seeketh the spring; 
Christ is the Well of Life, 

Christ is my King. 

Sweet is the sunset hour, 

Night following; 
Cool is the evening breeze, 

Christ is my King. 
Hometh the lark to nest 

On weary wing, 
Christ is my heart's sweet peace, 

Christ is my King. 

{The curtain falls on the children dancing.) 



23 



Scene hi A LILY OF THE SNOW 



Scene III. The Clouds Gather. 

The garden of Liberius' country house. Liberius seated. 
EuLALiA with a little basket gathering flowers. She 
stops from time to time and looks at her father; then 
puts down her basket, goes up behind him and puts her 
arms round his neck. ) 

EULALIA 

Father, I know that something troubles you; 
Is it not so? 

Liberius 
(Hastily) No, no, my dearest child, 
I was but thinking. When Donatus comes 
— He should be here by now — I wish to see 
Him here alone. 

EULALIA 

May I not stay with you? 

Liberius 
Not just at first. He has to speak to me 
Of weighty matters, such as little maids 
Would neither understand nor care to hear. 

23 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene hi 

EULALIA 

How long will all these weighty matters take ? 

LiBERIUS 

Not very long; ten minutes at the most. 

EULALIA 

Well, I will go and get some pretty leaves 
To set my flowers off. 

{As she goes out at one side Donatus comes in at 
the other. Liberius grasps him by both hands 
•and looks apprehensively into his face.) 

Liberius 

Bad news, I know. 
I see it in your face. 

Donatus 

Vincent has died 
The martyr's death, and Valens. Gloriously 
They both bore witness to the faith of Christ, 
And now they swell the noble martyr-band 
And stand before His Throne. Calpurnius 
Has kept his spies so busy that he knows 
The names of all the Christians in the town. 

(The two sit doimi.) 

24 



Scene hi A LILY OF THE SNOW 

You must remain here for a little time, 
For he has sworn to make us sacrifice 
Or suffer torture. 

LiBERIUS 

Ah ! but what of you ? 
There's not a child in Merida but knows 
The priest Donatus. 

DONATUS 

I go back tonight 
For I am needed there — I am afraid, — 
For there are some who love this world too well, 
And others who are weak, and when they hear 
The dreaded order, ''Sacrifice or die," 
There must be one at hand to strengthen them. 
To set against the torture and the pain 
The glory of the crown of martyrdom, 
And bid them die for Him who died for them. 

LiBERIUS 

But you, Donatus, if they seize you too? 

Donatus 
I put my trust in God ; since Dacian came 
I never greet the morning light without 

25 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene hi 

The solemn thought, "This day may be my last," 
And when the evening falls, "I may not live 
To see the morning light." Christ is my Hope. 

LiBERIUS 

You do not think that I should go with you ? 
I wish to go, if you should think it right. 

DONATUS 

Why should you take the risk? No duty calls 
You back again. 'Tis otherwise with me. 
What would ^Eulalia do without you? Stay, 
Yet hold yourself in readiness to die, 
Because we do not know the day nor hour. 

LiBERIUS 

If death should come, I trust in God for strength 
To meet it bravely. 

DONATUS 

Things are even worse 
In other cities. This I heard today — 

(EuLALiA comes in softly, unperceived by the two 
men, and sits down on a little stool beside them 
hut a little behind. She follows the story with 
breathless interest. ) 
26 



Scene hi A LILY OF THE SNOW 

A maiden of Toledo whom they took, 

Named Leocadia, brought to Dacian's court 

And bidden offer incense to his gods 

Defied the tyrant to his face. "How mad 

To serve a god so worthy of contempt," 

He said, "a maid of noble birth like you — 

'Tis only fit for slaves!" The maid replied, 

"To be His servant is my greatest joy! 

Now do your worst to me. I do not fear 

Your tortures, no, nor death, nor any pain 

You can inflict on me." The Governor 

Was mad with rage and had the maiden scourged 

Until her body was one gaping wound. 

There were some there whom terror had made weak; 

They drew fresh courage from her valiant words, 

And set themselves to suffer. 

LiBERIUS 

God be praised. 
Who gives the weakest strength to overcome ! 

EULALIA 

{Breathlessly) And Leocadia? Did she win her crown? 
(LiBERIUS starts violently, hut Donatus makes him a sign 
to he quiet.) 

27 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene in 

DONATUS 

You silent little mouse — hoAv came you there? 
Who bade you listen to your elders' talk ? 

EULALIA 

Why, Father said I might come presently 
When all the weighty matters were discussed — 
I gave you quite ten minutes. 

LiBKRIUS 

(Anxiously) Did you hear 
All that we said 

EULALIA 

I heard Donatus tell 
How Leocadia would not sacrifice, 
But braved the tyrant Dacian to his face. 
Ah! Tell me if she won the martyr's crown? 

LiBERIUS 

(Anxiously) And nothing else? 

EULALIA 

(Impatiently) No, nothing else at all — 
Donatus, tell me! 

28 



Scene hi A LILY OF THE SNOW 

DONATUS 

Ledcadia died 
Confessing Christ. Praised be His Holy Name! 

EULALIA 

Ah me! I wish I had not promised you 
The thing I promised just the other day. 
You know I told you that I could not help 
It staying in my heart, and God can see 
My heart and yours, and knows that it is there. 

LiBERIUS 

What does she mean? 

DONATUS 

We spoke the other day 
Of what 'twere best to wish and not to wish. 

EULALIA 

Donatus said 'twas better not to wish 
To die for Christ, for He knows what is best ; 
But when I heard how Leocadia died, 
The wish ached in me long before I knew 
That I was wishing. That I could not help. 

29 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene hi 

LiBERIUS \ 

I think that it is time for little girls 

To be in bed and sound asleep, instead 

Of bothering their foolish little heads 

With thoughts of martyrdom. Goodnight, my pet. 

EULALIA 

Goodnight. {She kisses him) Donatus, bless me. 
(She kneels at the priest's feet.) 

Donatus 
{Laying his hands on her head) May God bless 
This lamb of His, and keep her safe from harm. 

Curtain. 



30 



Scene iv A LILY OF THE SNOW 



Scene IV. The Storm Breaks. 

Eulalia's bedchamber. The moonlight streams in through 

the window. 

EULALIA 

(Sitting on her bed) Oh, happy Leocadia! In your heart 
Perhaps you kept a hidden wish hke mine, 
And then God saw it, and He granted you 
To die for Him. I know that it is best 
To will what He wills ; yet how glorious 
To shed one's blood in witness to the Faith ! 
Well, He knows best, and Leocadia dies 
While poor Eulalia has to serve Him here 
As best she can. (She kneels) Ah, give me work to do 
For Thee, O Christ ! That I may glorify 
Thy Name in just the little way Thou wilt, 
And strengthen those, who, happier than I, 
Are called to suffer, yet who fear the pain 
Of losing life and all that life holds dear; 
Ah ! give them grace to conquer for Thy love, 
That they may not be lost for evermore. 

31 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene iv 

And bless Thy little child, Eulalia, ^ 

And keep us all from dangers of the dark. 

(She lies down and sleeps. Two Angels appear at 
the head of her bed, one at each side; they lean 
over her^ their great white wings gleaming in 
the moonlight. Eulalia sleeps on.) 

First Angel 

Dost hear the triumph-song, O child of God, 
That ringeth through the happy courts of Heaven, 
Where through the golden streets the River flows 
Of living water? Virgin souls as pure 
As fresh-blown lilies stand around the Throne 
And welcome Leocadia, newly born 
To Christ, who is the Light and Life and Peace 
Of that sweet country where the Blessed dwell 
In everlasting bliss. Ah! who shall tell 
To mortal ears the glory of the life 
Which is eternal? How can mortal mind 
Conceive the fulness of the joy of Christ? 
Yet lift thy spirit's eyes to where He stands 
And list one moment to the angels' song. 
And gaze one moment on the loveliness 
Of that fair city of the living God. 

32 



Scene iv A LILY OF THE SNOW 

There are the prophets, martyrs, virgins ; there 
The holy penitents who turned to Christ ; 
There is the Mother-Maid, immaculate, 
Enthroned in glory. There no shadows fall, 
But daylight is eternal, for the Lamb 
Is light thereof, and there shall be no pain. 
Nor tears, nor strife, nor death for evermore. 

Second Angel 

Now turn thine eyes to earth, Eulalia ; see 
How God's beloved are treated, how the wolf 
Harries the flock of Christ. At Merida 
Calpurnius hath sworn that all shall die 
Who will not sacrifice to heathen gods ; 
He seeks to force them to deny their Lord, 
And some are weak and some are full of fear. 
And dread the torture and the martyr's death ; 
But God has heard thee plead that they may stand. 
And knows thy soul's desire and grants it thee, 
Oh, strong child-heart that seekest only Christ, 
Go, teach them how to suffer and to die ! 

( The Angels vanish in a soft strain of music. 
Eulalia sits up and passes her hand over her eyes.) 

33 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene iv 

EULALIA ^ 

How strange a dream I had ! It seemed to me 
I was in Heaven, and, when I rejoiced 
In God's sweet Presence, someone said to me, 
"Christ's people are in danger on the earth." 

{The door opens gently and Julia comes in.) 

Julia 
Are you asleep, Eulalia? 

EULALIA 

No; I was; 
I had the strangest dream. 

Julia 
I could not sleep; 
The slave Marcella told me such a tale ! 
It seems Donatus brought them word tonight 
That all the Christian folk in Merida 
Are to be forced to offer sacrifice 
To heathen idols in the market-place. 

Eulalia 
My dream ! 

34 



Scene iv A LILY OF THE SNOW 

Julia 

If they refuse, Calpurnius 
Will put them to the torture. It begins 
Tomorrow with the dawning of the day. 
I could not sleep, I cannot bear to think 
Of what will happen, so I came to you; 
I thought that if we prayed together, God 
Would hear our prayer and save them. 

EULALIA 

(Rising) Julia, 
I think that God has sent me work to do, 
And you must help me. I must go tonight 
To Merida. I shall be there by dawn 
For God will lead me, since He bids me go. 

Julia 
Tonight ! Alone ! 

EULALIA 

Tomorrow were too late ; 
Calpurnius does not know, perhaps, the harm 
That he is doing by this act of his ; 
He is a heathen and a wicked man. 
But I shall tell him. 

35 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene iv 

Julia ^ 

You! 

EULALIA 

Yes, I. 

Julia 
But what 
If he should punish you and have you racked? 

EULALIA 

I do not fear, for God is my defence. 

Julia 
Then I will go with you, you shall not go 
Alone, in the dark night, to Merida, 
And if they kill you, they shall kill me too. 

EULALIA 

Then come at once; the little garden door 
Is open, and the moon is at the full ; 
It will be dawn before the moonlight dies, 
And we shall find our way quite easily. 
{The two children go out.) 

Curtain. 
36 



Scene v A LILY OF THE SNOW 

Scene V. The Lily is Gathered. 

The Market-place at Merida 

Calpurnius sits on a kind of throne at the back of the 
scene. Behind it stand the statue of a god, a brazier, 
and incense. A little group of Christians stand on one 
side. Soldiers of the Guard are in attendance. An 
officer is at the Governor's side. 

Calpurnius 
Begin the process, bring the prisoners up! 

Officer 
{Aside) We have the information you desire, 
My lord, and so we only brought at first 
Those who we thought would surely sacrifice 
For fear of torture. 

Calpurnius 

'Tis the wisest course. 
Such an example will depress the rest. 
Bring up these people one by one. 

{A woman is led up, looking very frightened) 
37 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene v 

{In a savage voice) ^ You dare 

Defy the laws of Caesar? and insult 

The gods by worshipping a slave? Your name? 

Woman 
(Tremblingly) Valeria. 

Calpurnius 
(Rudely) Here! offer sacrifice 

To Jupiter, or it will be the worse 
For you, Valeria. 

(A soldier reaches her the incense; she hursts into tears 

and hides her face in her hands. ) 

Valeria 

Ah no ! Ah no ! 
I cannot ! Christ, have pity on my soul ! 
I dare not face the torture. Help ! oh help ! 

(EuLALiA enters J makes her zuay through the people 
and comes out before the Governor's throne.) 

EULALIA 

Calpurnius, what are you doing here? 
Why do you vex the faithful flock of Christ? 
Before you came we served our God in peace. 

38 



Scene v A LILY OF THE SNOW 

You are His enemy ; far better be 
His friend. 

Calpurnius 
(Laughing) Who is this httle girl who speaks 
So boldly to my very face ? 

EULALIA 

'Tis true 
That I am little, I am only twelve ; 
But I am old enough to wish to live 
Eternally with God ; and old enough 
To tell you that I do not fear your threats. 

Calpurnius 
(Drawing her towards him) 
Come, little maid, I shall not threaten you ; 
I think you are so wise a little girl 
That you must know and love your country's gods. 
Stretch out your hand, and take a tiny pinch 
Of incense — ^just like this (he fakes some in his hand) 

and scatter it 
Upon the fire in honor of great Jove. 

EULALIA 

(Striking Calpurnius, who has put his arm round her) 
I would not stretch a hand to sacrifice 

39 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene v 

Unto your gods, though you should give me all 

The riches of the world. (Overthrowing the brazier) 

See, that is what 
I think of all your gods. I worship Christ, 
And I am his for all eternity. 

Calpurnius 
{Furious) Here, take this little vixen to the gaol 
And scourge her soundly. Set the brazier up. 

(EuLALiA is dragged off by a soldier, another sets up 
the brazier.) 
( To Valeria) Here you Valeria, come and sacrifice ! 

Valeria 

{Who has been watching the scene and has dried her eyes.) 
I will not offer incense to your gods. 
The child was right; eternity is long, 
And life is short. So do your worst to me. 

Calpurnius 
{More furious still) What! all my plans subverted by a 

child? 
{Pointing to Valeria) Take her to prison. {To officer) 

Said I not to you 
I would not have this sort till all the rest 

40 



Scene v A LILY OF THE SNOW 

Had done my will ? And did not you, a fool, 

And all unfit to serve the Emperor, 

Tell me that all you brought would sacrifice ? 

Officer 
I did, my lord ; you saw the woman's tears. 
It was the child who made her obstinate. 

{The soldier who had taken out Eulalia comes in.) 

Soldier 
My Lord, we beat the child, but all our blows 
Seem only to delight her. So it is 
Sometimes with these strange people. 

Calpurnius 
{To soldier) Bring her back. {Soldier goes out.) 
{To the officer) A beating has effect — though they pretend 
It does not hurt them. Which shall we take next 
Of your fine prisoners? If all the rest 
Are like that woman, it will go hard with you ! 
The men who serve me must have common sense. 

{Enter soldier with Eulalia.) 
{To Eulalia) Well, are you cured of worshipping your 

Christ? 

41 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene v 

\ 
EULALIA 

It is no use, Calpumius, to try 

To cure me ; it is only waste of time ; 

For all your tortures cannot touch my soul 

But only hurt my body ; and my soul 

Is wholly Christ's. I hate your heathen gods, 

And hate your Emperor who worships them — 

At least, I do not know — Donatus says 

We must not hate the sinner, but the sin. 

I do not hate him then, but what he does 

I hate. 

Calpurnius 
You think perhaps you have escaped 
With just a beating? You are much deceived. 
{To the soldier) Go, take her to the torture and the rack. 
Then burn her sides with torches till she yields 
Or dies. We'll see who is the master here! 

EULALIA 

Blessed be Thou, O Christ, who grantest me 
My heart's desire! {To Calpurnius) Calpurnius, look well 
At me, that thou mayest know me in the day 
When we shall stand before the judgment seat 
Of Christ, and He shall judge us, you and me. 

4a 



Scene v A LILY OF THE SNOW 

Calpurnius 
Take her away ! 

Soldier 

There is a httle girl 
Who hangs about the prison door and says 
She is this child's companion. 

Calpurnius 
She toO' shall sacrifice to love or die. Hold her fast. 

(Exit soldier with Eulalia) 
(To the officers) Now bring them up. 

( The officer makes a sign to the foremost man in the 
group of Christians.) 

Man 
I will not sacrifice! 

The Rest 

Nor we ! It is no use, we worship Christ 
And we will die for Him ! 

Calpurnius 
(Furious) (To officer) You fool! My plan 
Is wholly ruined. The important thing 

43 



A LILY OF THE SNOW Scene v 

Was to begin with those who would give way 
And influence the others. These are not 
That kind at all ; these men will never yield. 

Officer 
I do assure you that these very men 
Were said to be the weakest in the town. 
It is that child! I saw their faces set 
The while they watched her. 

Calpurnius 

Take them all away 
To prison. As for that accursed child, 
I order that her body be exposed 
Here in the market-place all day and night, 
That men may see what kind of punishment 
Is meted out to those who slight the gods. 

Curtain. 
Tableau 



44 



Scene v A LILY OF THE SNOW 

The Snow Falls 

The Market-place at Merida. The Saint's body lies care- 
lessly thrown down in the middle of the scene. The 
snow has failen and partially covers it. Four Angels 
watch, two on either side. The snow falls softly. The 
Angels sing : 

The pain is over, 
The torment done; 
The fight is ended, 
The crown is won. 
Eulaha standeth 
Before the Throne, 
For Christ hath chosen 
And knows His own. 

O strong child-spirit, 
Thou hast prevailed 
Where rich and mighty 
And wise have failed. 
The simple-hearted 
Christ loveth best; 
Eulalia enters 
Into her rest. 
45 



m 



